Four Arts panel examines American style

If youre searching for a piece of furniture that perfectly exemplifies American style, look no further than the rocking chair, interior decorator Thomas Jayne said Thursday during a panel discussion at The Society of the Four Arts.

It conveys comfort and hospitality, he said. It appears on the rich persons porch and on the poor persons porch.

It also was invented in the United States an example of the sort of American creativity, and lack of pretense, that was a recurring theme during the discussion, titled American Genius: What is American Style?

Jayne joined culinary historian Jessica B. Harris and American culture writer Julia Reed on the panel, which was moderated by Four Arts President Ervin Duggan in the newly renovated Gubelmann Auditorium.

What is distinctive about us? We are a nation of nations, forged from many streams of culture, Duggan said. We are a people who trace our origins to many, many traditions.

The panelists all agreed that this melting pot of cultural influences has helped to define American style in several areas, including cuisine, social manners and decorating. The last topic was an especially prominent focus of the discussion.

Jayne, who runs Jayne Design Studio in New York City, noted that, more often than not, Americans want comfortable homes that capture their individual personalities. They also want to be surrounded by things they enjoy.

Americans value comfort, and they value eclecticism, he said. They have the luxury of having almost anything they want in their home.

Decorations dont all have to be expensive, he added. In his home, for example, Jayne has combined items of high pedigree and some less so. He also pointed to the home of one of his former mentors, the late decorator Albert Hadley of Parish-Hadley Associates, who also surrounded himself with the things he loved, whether valuable or not.

In America, you can have a fine room without a tremendous outlay, Jayne said.

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Four Arts panel examines American style